Fire Pit In Screened In Porch

Fire pits have multiple uses for outdoor activities. It can levitate the outdoor view and also can keep you warm on cold nights. Most of the fire pits are made for yard locations. As they are big and run by fire. But, what about if you can place your fire pit on a screened-in porch?

Thinking of that, you may have so many questions like will my massive fire pit fit in or where all the smoke will go?  Don’t worry and be patient. A screened-in porch is an excellent place to enjoy quality time. To decorate the porch area, you might think of a fire table or a fire pit. To use a fire pit in your porch area, you need to know how big your porch area should be, the flooring, ventilation, safety concerns, and possible outcomes. This article will cover all the things you need to know before you place a fire pit on a screened-in porch.

Key Takeaways

• Fire pits cause heat that can burn porch area decorations.
• Understand the consequences like smoke and heat problems for having a fire pit on the screened porch area.
• Use a propane fire pit and avoid wood-fueled ones.
• Measure your porch area with square feet according to the fire pit’s dimensions.
• Place it in a suitable area in the center or a corner. Make sure enough ventilation works with the fire pit’s heat and oxygen supply.
• Clean it of any debris or soot build-up before lighting the fire pit.
• Teach your family about safety precaution and fire pit dangers before anything bad happen.

Using a Fire Pit in a Screened-in Porch: Reflections

If you want to put a fire pit on a screened-in porch, there are several things to consider. There are many types of fire pits depending on the fuel. But, gas and wood-fueled fire pits are most common. In this category, you can only use gas fire pits inside as burning gas can be regulated by the gas valve.

Well, none of the manufacturers intended to burn their fire pit on a porch. Although this may depend on the guidelines provided by the manufacturer, there are a few things to ponder. Wooden-fueled fire pits are unacceptable for indoor burning. But a propane fire pit is good to go in a screened porch area. Let’s see the things you need to understand before placing in.

1. Porch size according to the fire pit

The sire of the porch is important to understand. First, read the measure of your fire pit in the manufacturer’s guide. The average fire pit’s size is around 36 to 44 inches.

A small fire pit that can cover a 2 to 3-person range needs at least 60 to max 100 square feet area. And a big sized fire pit that ranges around 6 to 8 people needs an area of 300 to 700 square feet. Then, find out the safest place to put your fire pit.

2. Placement of fire pit

Fire pit placement in a screened porch is very important. Placing a fire pit exactly without thinking of where it is being placed can cause a huge problem or even accidents. The porch is open for children and pets.

So, to place a fire pit, even a little one needs to be set safely. The pit should be placed in the middle of the porch area. This opinion is validated by many experts. In this way, the fire pit will get the most ventilation, and the oxygen supply to the fire pit will not suffocate you.

There is also a different option for a fire pit placed in the porch area. If the area is rectangular, you can attempt to place the fire pit in a corner. This placing is even safer than placing it in the middle. But you need to make sure the fire pit gets enough ventilation and oxygen supply.

3. Flooring material

The flooring area must be fireproof to ignore any burning. A propane fire pit produces 40,000 to 150,000 BTUs of heat. This heat can burn underneath the pit area. If the flooring is made of wood or any sort of flammable material, then there will be a chance to get burning signs.

So, it is best to put sand or fire rocks under the fire pit. Sand is perfect as it absorbs heat. In this way, you can keep your floor safe. If you’re constructing your fire pit for your property, stone, brick, or concrete materials are the best option to ensure that your pit is both secure and safe.

Gravel, slate, marble, or granite are the best base options as they are durable stones that will absorb heat better than alternatives. Also, making a built-in fire pit on the porch will eventually prevent any kind of accident. Make sure you hire a professional for that.

4. Ventilation can’t be compromised

For a propane fire pit, ventilation is a must to avoid any accident. It can be difficult in an indoor area. But you can make perfect ventilation for a screened-in porch fire pit. At least, three sides of screened walls that are permanently open.

That means the windows that can be opened and closed do not count. 30% of the screened area needs to be open. Make sure the area has enough ventilation for a fire pit.

5. Maintenance before burning

Not just measuring porch area, placement of fire pit, flooring materials, and ventilation is job done. Maintaining your fire pit before burring in is also important. This makes the final step for a hassle-free warm evening to enjoy with your family.

Before lighting the fire pit, clean it of any debris or soot build-up. If the fireplace is dirty or jam-packed with debris, it can cause a fire explosion. Never throw flammable items into the fireplace. Always turn off the propane end of your session.

Also, never leave the fireplace unattended when it is lit. Tend to any needed maintenance and upkeep before each session. For safety purposes, always keep a fire extinguisher by your fireplace in case of an emergency.

Outcomes for Wooden Fire Pit in Screened Porch Area

It’s not suitable to use a wood fire pit in an enclosed area as a wood or coal fire releases smoke, embers, and sparks. A sudden gust of wind or a shower of sparks could spell the end of your home and put you in danger.

It’s much safer to stick to a more controllable source of combustion, like natural or propane gas for your screened entertainment area and save the wooden fire pit for a beautiful spot in your yard.

However, if you put a wood-fueled fire pit inside the porch area, the fire will build smoke and the oxygen level will decrease. The situation will lead you to stop the fire and leave the place. Wooden fire is bad for smell, eyes, and skin. You will experience dryness, itchiness, pain, or grittiness in both eyes and skin.

Also, the wood burn fire and coal are hard to turn out. After the session, the coal wood will still be on heat and the ashes will fly with that heat. This scenario is the reason for most of the fire accidents. Avoid placing a wood burn fire pit anywhere inside the house.

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General Tips and Safety Measures

These general tips should be kept in mind when you start planning your new entertainment area:

• People may trip and fall, or overturn a portable fire pit, so it’s a good idea to switch to flame-retardant materials for all your furnishings.
• Don’t fill up the area with clutter or furniture. A typical screened porch could be furnished with easy chairs or a sofa, cushions and throw blankets, tables, books, and rugs, all of which could be potential fire hazards.
• Keep the area around the fire pit clean and organized with a clear route to emergency exits.
• If you need more heat from your fire, consider adding lava rocks rather than increasing the flame height.
• Keep the rings and inner workings clear of debris and soot build-up, and don’t burn garbage or other items in the gas flame.

Take steps before any accident happens. Freaking kids and pets could get hurt if something surprising happens. Draw up a fire escape plan and make regular fire drills a part of the household routine so everyone will know what to do in a fire emergency.

• If a fire accident happens, don’t stay in the house, even call the emergency number – you can do that when you are safely outside.
• Install fire and smoke alarms, and check every month that they are functioning properly.
• Never leave the porch area unattended if there is an open flame. Especially when there are boisterous pets or kids around.
• Keep a fire extinguisher close and teach everyone how to use it.

FAQs

1. What is the best thing to put under a fire pit?

To make a base for a fire pit in a screened-in porch area, you need to put something that is not flammable and can absorb heat. For that, you can use sand, stone, brick, or concrete materials are the best options to ensure that your pit is both secure and safe.

2. What is the safest type of fire pit for the porch area?

Of course, gas-fueled fire pits are more safe than wood-fueled fire pits. Gas fire pits can emit smoke or sparks like traditional wood fires do. So, there is less of a health and fire hazard. With proper installation and maintenance, a propane fire pit will be perfect for a screened porch area.

3. How do you fireproof a fire pit?

To make a fire pit fireproof, you can combine large rocks, gravel, and sand to ensure a fire-proof base that won’t let the flame burn your floor. Install a steel ring to line the inner wall of the fire pit. The steel contains the heat produced by the fire and will prolong the life of your fire pit.

Final Thoughts

Placing a fire pit in a screened-in porch area is not too much for anyone. It’s even easy and enjoyable to have a warm environment inside the porch area. As long as you stick to fire regulations and sound safety principles, you can easily add a fire pit to your screened porch. Understand the size of your fire pit and measure the porch area. Make a perfect place, and make a base with sand, concrete, or brick to avoid any burning signs and accidents.

If your space does not conform to the minimum safety requirements you may have to resort to an electrical fireplace, or you could perhaps build a safe fire pit in another area of your property. Luckily, there are so many designs, shapes, and sizes available you are bound to find something that will work just fine!

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